Sen. Willis Curdy

Maddy summarySB 332 would change Montana's process for appointing the clerk of the supreme court, replacing the current election system with an appointment by a majority of the supreme court justices. It eliminates the clerk's ability to appoint a deputy clerk and amends multiple Montana Code sections to reflect this structural change. The bill requires the clerk to serve "at the pleasure of the court" and takes effect for vacancies after January 6, 2031. This is a procedural adjustment affecting the supreme court's administrative staffing, not a policy change impacting the public.

Maddy summarySB 515 would create a multistate cosmetology licensure compact, allowing licensed cosmetologists to practice in participating states using a single license instead of obtaining separate licenses in each state. It requires criminal background checks for all applicants and establishes uniform standards for licensure, including shared disciplinary records between states to maintain safety. The bill specifically aims to reduce licensing barriers for cosmetologists relocating due to military service or family moves. This program would replace individual state licenses with a single multistate license valid across all compact member states.

Maddy summarySB 234 would have required massage therapy applicants in Montana to submit fingerprints for state and federal criminal background checks as part of licensure. It mandated applicants pay associated fees and amended existing licensure rules to include fingerprint submission (Section 37-33-502, MCA). The bill applied to all new applications submitted on or after July 1, 2025, and would have required renewal applicants to undergo similar checks. However, the bill "died in process" on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 510 revises Montana's urban transportation district laws to require elected commissioners instead of appointed boards, prohibit local governments from forcing property owners to add land to a district as a condition for service, and mandate districts to publicly document all added areas. The bill allows property owners in districts that have not received direct transportation service for five years to petition for removal from the district without liability for the district’s existing debts. It also requires districts to maintain clear maps of their boundaries and sets specific procedures for adding or removing properties. These changes directly affect property owners within transportation districts and local governments managing such districts.

Maddy summarySB 427 establishes minimum distance requirements for trapping on Montana's public lands near developed areas. It requires trappers to set traps at least 50 feet from roads/trails, 1,000 feet from campgrounds/recreation sites (including boat ramps), and 300 feet from trailheads (with 1,000 feet for lethal traps). The bill directly affects trappers operating on public lands, particularly those near popular recreation areas, and gives the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission authority to adjust these distances in high-use zones. The provisions aim to reduce conflicts between trapping activities and public recreation by creating physical buffers around developed sites.

Maddy summarySB 509, the "Agricultural Embedded Software Act," requires manufacturers to treat embedded software in farm equipment (like tractors and harvesters) as sold - not licensed - to prevent restrictions on equipment use, repair, or resale. It mandates that manufacturers provide owners and independent repair shops with free access to necessary software updates, repair documentation, tools, and parts without requiring contracts or imposing unreasonable conditions. The law specifically prohibits manufacturers from using "parts pairing" or "secure release systems" to block independent repairs or restrict how farmers operate their equipment. This bill directly affects Montana farmers and repair businesses by ensuring they can maintain and repair equipment without manufacturer-imposed barriers. The bill died in process in May 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 556 creates a state Board of Passenger Ropeway Safety to oversee the safety of ski lifts and similar systems (called "passenger ropeways") in Montana. It requires all ski area operators to register their ropeways annually with the board, pay fees ($100-$300 per device), and undergo inspections to meet safety standards. The board, appointed by the governor and including ski industry representatives, will set safety rules, issue annual operating certificates, and collect fees to fund its operations. This directly affects ski resorts and operators by adding registration, inspection, and fee requirements for their ropeway systems. The bill does not change liability laws for ski-related injuries but focuses on mechanical safety oversight.

Maddy summarySB 247 classifies certain nonprofit shooting ranges as "Class four property" for taxation purposes, affecting organizations that operate these ranges and are exempt under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4). The bill establishes a specific property tax rate for these qualifying ranges, taxing them at one-half the rate applied to general commercial property. It defines a "shooting range" as the necessary buildings, improvements, and up to 150 acres of appurtenant land, excluding residential or general commercial business uses. These changes will apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 390 revises Montana's Clean Indoor Air Act by updating the definition of "smoking." The bill explicitly defines "electronic smoking device" to include e-cigarettes, dab rigs, and vape pens. It then expands the definition of "smoking" to include the use of both marijuana and any electronic smoking device. This change means that existing prohibitions on smoking in enclosed public places will now also apply to these electronic devices and marijuana use.

Maddy summarySB 428 revises how local authorities and county commissions can set speed limits on roads. It allows local authorities to adjust speed limits in various areas, such as urban districts, outside urban districts, and school zones, typically requiring an engineering and traffic investigation. A key change is that boards of county commissioners can now set certain decreased speed limits on county roads, including in school zones, without first conducting an engineering and traffic investigation. The bill also specifies signage requirements for altered limits and mandates consultation with relevant bodies for school zones.